Witch Hazel

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Hamamelis virginiana, snapping hazel, winter bloom, spotted elder, winter bloom, tobacco wood

What is witch hazel?

Witch hazel is a slender shrub that grows to 20 feet tall. The leaves are 2 to 6 inches long, toothed, and wavy, and turn yellow in the fall. The bright yellow flowers bloom in the autumn as the leaves fall. The leaves, bark, and twigs are used medicinally.

What is it used for?

Witch hazel has been used on the skin to treat:

• bruises
• hemorrhoids
• insect bites
• minor bleeding, burns, and sunburn
• rashes
• swelling
• varicose veins

The bark has been taken by mouth to treat:

• colitis
• diarrhea
• dysentery (an intestinal infection)
• colds and fevers

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Witch hazel comes in the form of teas, tinctures, tablets, and capsules. Witch hazel is an ingredient of many eye drops, skin creams, ointments, and skin tonics. Suppositories are available to treat hemorrhoids. Check the label on the package for the specific dose.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Witch hazel is safe for most adults when put on the skin. It may be safe in small doses when taken by mouth. Taking large doses of witch hazel may damage the liver.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this remedy if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: Yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, severe tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, light-colored bowel movements, trouble urinating.

Other: Minor skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

What products might interact with this remedy?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

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